South Wales Daily News

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS DEATHS. JENKINS. -On October 2nd, at Free Trade House, Caerphilly, James Humphrey Jenkins, aged 42 years. No wreaths, 5436 REES.—On the 2nd Inst., at BrynheuWg, Porth, Jane Rees. Funeral at Llatiwonno, on Wednesday.

ANOTHER SCANDALOUS INQUEST. THE coroner's inquest on LYDIA MANTON, a Gaiety" woman, alleged to have com- mitted suicide on Thursday last, demands immediate and searching investigation. If the statements which have been published broadcast by the more outspoken of the London press may be relied upon as accurate, there has been a scandalous suppression of facts which would most certainly have been published in any ordinary inquiry of the kind. The extraordinary proceedings which followed the death of the late Duke of BEDFORD are not yet forgotten. The HOME SECRETARY himself was taken to task for an alleged endeavour to shield the coroner. Unfortunately, Parliament is not in session at present, or some explanation would be at once demanded. We cannot censure a coroner whose conduct has not yet been investigated. We cannot write without reserve on matters which are but partially revealed. But we will say this, that no coroner has any right to conduct an inquiry in such a way as to give rise to doubts, conjectures, speculations, and innuendoes. The whole truth ought to come out. Any coroner who declines to do his duty in all investigations, or who sup- presses in one case what he is accustomed to lay open in all others, should be at once dismissed from office. According to our London correspondent, usually so reliable and well-informed, the Coroner has been unfairly dealt with in some of the Metropolitan papers, but even he remarks that "there are other people who might have brought influences to bear on those who were present." If so, we must get at these other people. Then, again, our correspondent states that no regularly accredited news- paper reporter was amongst the number present at the inquest but why not ? The case was not lacking in interest. In fact, it was more interesting than nineteen out of every twenty attended by regularly accredited reporters. We should regret very much the smallest insinuation against the coroner which circumstances do not fully warrant, but it is quite evident that there were incidents which must be cleared up, and that some influence has been used to keep the facts within the narrowest possible compass. The facts of the case are simple enough. A girl commits suicide. A coroner's inquest is held. Obstacles are put in the way of the inquiry getting wind. Secrecy is at once resorted to, and the representatives of the Press are left to their own resources to get hold of the facts. Nor is this all. It might be alleged that neither the public nor the Press have any legal right to claim publicity. We dispute this, but for present purposes we will allow that none but the jury have any right to know all the facts. One of the worst features of the case, if we are rightly in- formed, is that even the jury have been kept very much in the dark. It is alleged that the evidence placed before the jury on Saturday was restricted to very narrow limits, and that the jurymen were called upon by the coroner, Mr TROUTBECK, to "sign a blank sheet of paper," instead of the usual record of the proceedings with the verdict appended. This is such a monstrous allegation that we can hardly credit it, but none the less do we demand a most searching investigation and, if possible, a refutation of all such statements. The law must not recognise the points of the compass. A coroner must not have any official knowledge of east and west. From what has oozed out it appears that Lord CHARLES MONTAGU was on terms of intimacy with LYDIA MANTON, and the public are now in possession of some of the evidence which connects him with the fate of the unhappy girl. There were documents of recent origin, a portion of one of which was apparently read to the jury, but there is nothing to show that all the facts were set forth. If it be true that the jury put their signatures to a blank sheet of paper, their conduct cannot be censured in terms too scathing. Penal servitude alone could amply meet such a case, but the penalty would need to be im- posed on those who demanded the signa- tures as well as upon any juror who knowingly attached his with the others. If the diamond ornament said to have been given to the poor girl as a mark of princely favour be more than a piece of gossip rising out of the scandalous secrecy said to have characterized all the proceedings, we cannot at present deal with it. We have only to do with what has all the semblance of fact, and looking at all the incidents as placed before us, we think there can be no shelving of the case permitted. There was something weighing on the mind of this poor girl. From being "one of the brightest and "merriest of the Gaiety girls" she fell into a condition of utter despondency, the reason for which is not far to seek. A jury, alleged to have had access to a mere scrap of evidence, assumed that she was of unsound mind. On what basis of fact does this verdict rest? Mr TROUTBECK, whose conduct was severely criticised in the Duke of BEDFORD caSfJ, must be made to answer this. We cannot afford to have coroners who will screen (or let others) superior persons," and allow the ordinary suicide to go to his grave covered, it may be, with infamy. This girl laying violent hands upon herself has, or has had, a grievance, and we want to know whether regard for some of the elite is to tempt Englishmen and Welshmen to allow this flimsy inquiry to pass unchallenged ? There is a Society for the Protection of Women and Children what is its mission ? Does it concern itself only with navvies, and others of that description, who forget what is due to women and to children ? The whole circumstances of this very sad case demand the immediate atten- tion of the British public. They should rise in their thousands and hundreds of thou- sands and insist upon a second inquiry. We will not too quickly assume that the Coroner acted wrongfully and illegally, but if it can be shown that he has done so, nothing short of his instant dismissal can suffice. Whatever the law may or may not exact, it is very clear that the whole procedure in connection with the Coroner's Court was such as inevitably to excite suspicion, and even to give rise to charges much graver than would likely be substantiated on further investigation.

THE activity just now displayed in Welsh Constituencies is very encouraging as indica- ting that the country is fully awake to the importance of the coming election. The meetings held yesterday in Gower and North Monmouthshire show that Mr D. RANDELL and Mr T. P. PRICE are fully able to hold their own. Mr FRANK EDWARDS is making such progress in Radnorshire that the Conservatives have almost given up hope. In their extremity they hysterically appeal to Radnorshire men to return Mr WALSH, as it would break Lord ORMATHWAITE'S heart if his son lost the seat." With all due respect to Lord ORMATHW AITE, and with no desire to break his heart," we would say that doing justice to Welsh Non- conformists and Irish patriots, and relieving the burdens of oppressed tenant farmers and working men, is a thousand times more important than pandering to feudal pride. The Carmarthen Boroughs are mar- shalling their forces in a manner which shows how hopeless a task it would be to run a Unionist candidate. We have seen how Mr LLOYD MORGAN in West Carmarthen, Mr REES DA VIES in Pembroke- shire, and Mr EGERTON ALLEN in the Pembroke Boroughs are all carrying on the good fight in a way which promises certain victory. Cardiganshire, too, is absolutely safe, notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the Tories and the unfortunate illness which has kept Mr BOWEN ROWLANDS for so many weeks from taking any part in public meetings. The invitation unanimously sent him by the Liberal Association for the county to be the standard bearer of the party at the next election, and his ready acceptance thereof makes his triumphant return a foregone conclusion. What possible hope can there be in Cardiganshire for the party which passed the new Tithe Act, and for a sup- porter of the Church which harrasses Non- conformist farmers in every possible manner ? Taken altogether, the Tory outlook in Wales is gloomier than ever.

WITH Monday's meeting at Clydach Mr DAVID RANDELL, M.P., inaugurated with auspicious success a vigorous campaign in the wide and straggling constituency which he represents in the councils of the nation with so much tact and fidelity. The mem- ber for Gower, during his brief Parliamentary career, has achieved an unmistakable legis- lative success. The work associated with Mr RANDELL'S name is none the less valuable because it was accomplished quietly and without any loud fan- fare of trumpets. We have but to mention the provisions in the direction of the pre- ferential payment of wages, the reduction of the charge for certificates of birth and for ensuring the better safety of the toilers in our factories, to establish the hon. member's claim to the gratitude of the working classes without as well as within his own con- stituency. In his speech on Monday Mr RANDELL showed himself in warm sympathy with all the democratic yearnings of the hour. Sturdily Liberal as he is, he refuses to subordinate even to Liberalism the strong convictions which he holds on the labour question and on social questions generally. But we are glad to see that he does not encourage the fiction that, there is an antagonism between Liberalism and the claims of labour. In view of the general election interested persons are just now doing all they can to detach the working men from the Liberal party. However astute these treacherous friends may be, they cannot conceal the cloven hoof of Toryism, and their attempt to wean the masses from their faith in Liberalism is foredoomed to failure. "The ox," we are "told, knoweth his master's crib," and the working classes are able to distinguish between friend and foe. Every blessing which the British democracy enjoy from its cheap breakfast table to its free press it owes to Liberalism. From the very nature of things Liberalism must go hand in hand with the rights of labour. It is the ancient foe of privilege, and the champion of equal rights. After the Liberal leader's pronounce- ment at Newcastle there is less prospect than ever of any success attending the well- paid effort to sow dissension in the ranks of the progressive army. In this connection the heartfelt tribute to Mr GLADSTONE, which was paid by Mr PICKARD, M.P., at a meeting of miners on Saturday, is not with- out a wholesome significance," as CARLYLE would say.

COMING back to the meeting in the Gower Division, Mr RANDELL had the countenance and support of old Wales in the person of Mr DILLWYN, and of young Wales in that of Mr S. T. EVANS at what may be regarded as one of the most important gatherings ever held in the constituency. The reception accorded the veteran, Mr DILLWYN, was sufficient to prove that he continues to enjoy to the full the confidence of the labour section of the community. Mr RANDELL may well feel proud of the un- qualified testimony to his abilities and services as Member for Gower from the patrician Mr DILLWYN on the one hand and the mass of workmen on the other. His address, as was fitting on the occasion t>f a working man's meeting, was almost exclu- sively devoted to labour questions, Through- out the whole speech he proved that he and his constituents were of one mind and of one heart upon the great questions now agitating the labour world. A great portion of his remarks had reference to State intervention in restricting the hours of labour. His utterances on this head will well repay careful perusal. One argument often made use of in opposing State intervention is that Eng- lish employers would thus be placed at a serious disadvantage in competing with Continental manufacturers untrammelled by any such restrictions. But there appears some reason for believing that even Conti- nental Governments may yet be in advance of ours. The German Reichstag has already broken the ice by authorising the Government of that country to fix a maximum work- ing day in all cases of unhealthy employments. This, as Mr RANDELL pointed o ut, is a distinct recognition of the principle of State intervention in regulating the hours of employment. The particular form of legislation which Mr RANDELL, in common we believe with other labour representa- tives, is most inclined to favour is that known as Trade Option. By this method the majority of men engaged in any trade would be empowered to decide whether the eight hours day regulation should apply to that particular trade or not. Mr RANDELL had certainly some ground for expressing an opinion that Mr GLADSTONE would, when the time comes, not be indisposed to legis- late in this direction.

THE decision come to by the Clydach meeting, yesterday, to defray the whole of Mr DAVID RANDELL'S expenses at the next election will meet with hearty and general approval. If working men favour the principle of payment of members they should prove it by doing voluntarily, and possibly at some sacrifice, what they wish to see made compulsory and general. If working men want working men to represent them, or want any but rich men to sit and speak on their behalf in the House of Commons, they must do what the Rhondda men have long since done, and what the working men of Gower have now resolved to do-bear at least the cost of returning their member. If anything were wanting to convince the wealthy Tories of Gower of the utter hope- lessness of any attempt to oust Mr RANDELL from the seat, this decision on the part of his electors to defray his election expenses supplies the needed proof. It was, of course, well known before that the threat to contest the seat was made not with any hope of winning it, but merely as a vexatious interference with the sitting member, and with the sole object of landing him in heavy expenses. There may have been a lingering hope that such a threat might possibly induce Mr RANDELL to seek a cheaper seat. In any case, the decision of the Clydach meeting effectually disposes of the matter.

What the Clydach meeting was to Gower the Blaenavon meeting was, though to a somewhat lesser degree, to North Mon- mouthshire. Both proved that the sitting member has the full confidence of his con- stituents, and that the interests of the Labour party and of the Liberal party are identical. Mr T. P. PRICE has long been re- cognised as one of the most faithful ex- ponents of Welsh feeling, and his allusions last night to the special claims of Welsh nationality were in complete har- mony with his record in the House of Commons. The member for North Monmouthshire is a staunch upholder of the principle that Wales and Scotland have an equal right with Ireland to manage her own internal affairs. Mr PRICE possesses, too, the courage of his convic- tions, and does not hesitate to declare his views as to what should be the future policy of Wales with reference to the question of Home Rule. Regarding the National Institutions Bill as an instal. ment of Home Rule, the appearance of Mr ALFRED THOMAS on the same platform with Mr PRICE had a peculiar significance and appropriateness. Mr ALFRED THOMAS has effectually set at rest the fear that his Bill would interfere with the Disestablishment movement. His explicit declaration that he will do nothing which could in any way impede that movement will be sufficient to satisfy all reasonable critics on this point. Mr THOMAS, while determined to miss no opportunity of press-, ing forward what he considers to be one of the most important questions within the range of practical politics so far as Wales is concerned, is as earnest as ever in his advocacy of Disestablishment, and, indeed, judging by his speech of last night, is inclined to go even further than many of his colleagues to secure the passing of that long-hoped-for measure.

THE letter we publish to-day from Dr ROWLAND WILLIAMS, of Holyhead, shows that the influence of the Welsh "revival is being felt outside Wales, and in directions which probably few but those directly interested in the movement would have anticipated. The Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland have now adopted the Welsh language as one of the optional subjects for the medical preliminary examination. As Dr ROWLAND WILLIAMS points out, this is the first time" in the history of the profession that the Welsh language has been recognised and placed on a par "with the French, German, and other "languages." From the time of RIIIWALLON, and the period when "Meddygon Myddvai" were sought after by prince and peasant, Welsh has been the one medium through which alone a large proportion of patients could detail their troubles. A knowledge of that language was therefore a valuable help to the doctor in his practice. Henceforth it will count for something when studying for his degree.

SOUTH WALES NOTES. [BY COSMOS.] THE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE. THE question as to the disposal of refuse is being busily debated in every large town with the exception of Cardiff. While some people advocate the purchase of destructors, other persons suggest that the refuse should be put to some useful purpose. There can be no doubt that this refuse would largely benefit the agriculturist, and enrich a quantity of poor land. But refuse hardly pays for the cost of carriage, and the farmers will not take it unless it were delivered at the nearest station or wharf. It is stated that for half the sum per ton which it would cost to destroy it the refuse could be con- veyed to land within a reasonable distance. It certainly seems a pity that valuable manure which would increase the pro- ductiveness of the soil should be destroyed. THE WEAKNESS OF THE CARDIFF BACKS. I GIVE the following letter with some diffi- dence, because I think in the interests of fair play that the writer should attach his own name. However, as I happen to be acquainted with him, and believing that no personal animus inspires his criticism, I publish it for what it is worth Dear Cosmos, "-Knowing the interest you take and try to further all kind of sport," could you find space for the following ? After the two miserable" shows" we have seen these last Satur- days of the once celebrated Cardiff XV. v. two such small clubs as Neath and Penarth, do you not think a thorough change in the lamentably weak back division desirable ? Writinsr as a great admirer and follower of the Cardiff Club, I think it quite painful to see their glaring weaknesses when they have such a numerous and strong lot of men to draw from. I instance the play of S. Sweet-Escott, Jones, and Biggs. The first-named has never justi- fied his selection, and his last Saturday's performance, when he had a clean run in, shows he has not the pace he is credited with. The second is nob worthy of his place, and the third much too light, his only performance being to materially assist Gloucester to beat Cardiff at Gloucester last season. Neath had admittedly the best of the game last Saturday week, and yesterday Penarth showed themselves superior all round, the veriest fluke giving Cardiff the win. When we hear such good reports of the Newport and Swansea teams I am sure the best leg will have to be put forward if we are to hold our own, and I hope the committee will not blindly put in these men again (in the hope of their im- proving) until they have (if they are good enough ?) kept their place in the 2nd XV.—I am &c., "F. B. JOHNSON." Oct. 4, 1891. FOXES GALORE. THERE seems to be everywhere in South Wales a remarkable fertility of foxes. They are more than plentiful, they are swarming. No doubt this abundance is due to the immunity they enjoyed last season. The cub hunting period was scentless, and few were, in consequence, killed. This was succeeded by a long frost, during which, of course, hounds were confined to the kennel. Upon the departure of Arctic conditions scent did not very much improve, and, March following very quickly.. the goddess Lucina threw her protection around the vixens. The result is that in many cases there are more foxes than are required. The lateness of the harvest has sadly hindered operations against the vulpine tribe, and scent in covert z, has not been very burning. A NEW PORT. ALTHOUGH the failure of the harvests in some parts of Russia is very serious, in other districts the crops are plentiful. In Southern Russia the prospects, or rather the results. are fair, and in the Caucasus the crop is stated to be larger than the means of dis- tribution can cope with. Within the last three years the grain from this neighbour- hood has been shipped at a new port on the Baltic called Novorossisk. In 1888 the tonnage amounted to 39,283 tons in 1890 it had reached 498,253 tons. Thus, in the short space of three years, Novorossisk has become the fifth port ofthe Czar's dominions. Quite half of this grain is bought by Great Britain. MR LEWIS MORRIS. I AM glad to see Mr Lewis Morris again taking a place in the forefront of Welsh politics. The distinguished poet honoured the recent Llandrindod Conference with his presence, and his speech at Carmarthen a few days ago shows the thoroughness of his Liberalism. To men like Mr Lewis Morris the true friends of Wales look to rescue it from a proneness to low ideals. Many of us would like to see the distinguished author of the Epic of Hades taking a close and still closer part in all the concerns of his native land. Poets are not always men of action, but Mr Lewis Morris has a many-sided character, and every Welsh aspiration, be it in religion, in morals, in local government, or in education, appeals strongly to his fervent patriotism. His address to the Liberal meeting at Carmar- then was a noble plea for the refining influ- ence of women in politics. After all, a woman has no need to have the political history of the Empire at her fingers' ends to enable her to bear a, part in the higher political activities. A warm sympathy for the suffering, a generous impatience of all that is unjust, and a love of liberty—these are qualities equipped with which a woman would be able to render great service to Liberalism. Has not Mr Lewis Morris himself epitomised the wisdom of ages in that beautiful and expressive couplet— Knowledge is a steep that few may climb, While Duty is a path that all can tread. FROM GRAVE TO GAY. THE Theatre Royal, Cardiff, has returned this week to comic opera. La Oigale is neither better nor worse than the majority of this sort of work. If the music is tune- ful, it cannot claim to be anything more than conventional. The company is an average one, and altogether the change is not an unwelcome relief from the tension of last week. The house last night was fairly filled. It is evident that playgoers did hot exhaust themselves by the record attend- ances last week, but are ready to seek fresh diversion with fresh opportunities. THE RECREATIVE CLASSES. ALDERMAN THOMAS WILLIAMS, J.P., than whom it would be difficult to find a more well-meant social reformer, has promised to bring before the Merthyr School Board, at its next meeting, the subject of the desira- bility of night schools being provided during the winter session. The Recreative Evening Classes Association of the locality are anxious to see these schools re- established, and to be able to work with them for the good of the rising generation. The Association feels that it is able, if necessary, to walk alone, but it would prefer to receive co-operation, especially on the part of an authority which is the nationally recognised and popularly supported means of education. It is to be hoped, seeing what excellent workhas already been accomplished by the joint agencies, that the Board will listen—as no doubt they will—to the representations which will be brought before them. The members of the School Board and other voluntary workers alike deserve the best thanks of the public for the good they are trying to effect in the ranks of young people, who, in sad ignor- ance, are contracting habits that may cloud their lives with bitterness. MORE OCEAN RISKS. THERE is a new terror to be added to ocean travelling. Not satisfied with the fate which befel the monster raft which was lost on its passage from the Bay of Fundy to New York, another speculator con- templates towing an immense raft across the Atlantic. If this mass of timber breaks away, which it is not at all unlikely to do, another peril will have to be encountered by the Greyhounds of the Atlantic. The pace at which the modern liners run makes even a collision with a log of wood disastrous. But with the sea strewn with these obstacles, a voyage over to America will become positively dangerous. THE NEW SEA BIRD. I WAS talking the other day to a well-known pigeon fancier in Cardiff upon the subject of the homing station which the Admiralty has established for the breeding of carrier pigeons. He is of the opinion that these birds will be of no use to convey messages from ships at any distance from land, He states that the birds will not fly against a strong breeze, and being able to sight no land- marks will descend on some ship, or they perhaps by luck get to the nearest shore. At the same time I am by no means convinced that the carrier pigeon's homing instincts are traceable to sight. However, the Admiralty, after they have trained their birds, will soon find out whether one can get home from, say, a couple of hundred miles off. Would a pigeon, for instance, turned loose about 200 miles from Finisterre find its way back to the Scilly Islands ? My authority says- No."

THE ACCIDENT TO MR AND MRS W. DA VIES, M.P. We are glad to state that both Mr W. Davies, M.P., and Mrs Davies are progressing most favourably. Mr Davies has received nothing more than a severe shaking, which necessitates rest, and Mrs Davijes, although suffering pain from the severe bruises she received, is not in a condition necessitating any anxiety. The family are very grateful for the numerous enquiries received by telegram and otherwise.

THE TREORKY WOUNDING CASE. At Ystrad police-court on Monday David Barron was charged with wounding Thomas John with intent to do grievous bodily harm.— Mr C. Matthews prosecuted, and Mr Spowat defended.—Complainant said that on the 14th of September he and his brother were in defendant's company at the Red Cow Inn. He (complainant) left at stop tap," accompanied by his brother, Clifford Watkins, and David Samuel. They met defendant, who had left some time pre- viously, and a dispute arose about running, and shortly after he received a blow on the right side of the head, which knocked him down. He fell on his back on the pavement. He did not remember any more. He could hear well before, but had been unable to hear well since. Did not quarrel with anyone that night.—David Lewis said defendant kicked prosecutor after he fell. He helped to raise prosecutor up and take him to the station. He was bleeding from his ear, nose, ?? r™ou a*s.° from his body. — ihomas Nisbett Wright, surgeon, said he examined the prosecutor, and found traces of blood from the right ear. He was in a very stupid state, half unconscious. His pulse indicated concussion of the brain. He had had a serious discharge from the ear, and there must have been some internal injury, because he passed blood from the body. The base of the skull was fractured, and he would not be out of danger until the discharge from the ear ceased. Defend- ant was committed for trial, bail to be accepted, himself in j350 and two sureties in B25 each.

THE HOZIER DIVORCE SUIT. The Pall Mall Gazette states that Lady Blanche Hozier has entered an appearance to defend the divorce action brought by her husband, Captain Hozier. The name of no co-respondent is men. tioned in the action, the Scotch Courts not requir- ing this, unless the pursuer seeks to recover damages from the co-respondent.

FOOT RACE AT MERTHYR. On Saturday afternoon a foot race, over the Recreation Company's 120 yards track at the Penydarren Park, Merthyr, took place between S. Richards and Charles Shilton, both of Tre- harris, for £20. The contest was keen, and for about 100 yards bhilton led, but his opponent then overhauled hitn and won by a distance of 1XA or 2 yajds. Ben Burns, Darlaston, was the starter, and Mr Cawley, Treharris, referee.

CADBURY'S COCOA. — "A Cocoa possessing valuable flesh-forming qualities and imparting strength and staying Dower. £ eaftA 1269 I

LONDON LETTER, 't' f [FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. J [SPECIALLY WIRED.J LONDON, Monday Night. A UNIONIST SEAT THAT CAN BE WON. The vacancy in the South Molton Division of Devon ought to be regained for the Liberal party. The return of Lord Lyming- ton at the last election affords little indica- tion of the real fueling of the constituency. A part from the circumstance that the party was uncertain and unsettled in itself, the great personal popularity of the late earl and his family had much to do with the election of a Dissentient. As a good landlord and a thorough sports- man, Lord Portsmouth was esteemed throughout the country side, and the Countess, who addressed meetings and attended to details of organization, did much towards her son's success. The conditions are now altogether different, and it is a question if the Portsmouth influence will be actively or so effectively used on the side of the Unionists. The Liberals have also the advantage of having a good candidate, who has been in the field a considerable time, and has made himself well-known through- out the division. In these circumstances we ought to score another bye-election, the moral effect of which, in Devonshire, would be considerable. THE SUICIDE OF A GAIETY GIRL. The case of the Gaiety girl who committed suicide, to which I referred last night, has to-day attracted an amount of attention altogether out of proportion to the impor- tance of the matter, if it were not for the belief which generally prevails that some circumstances and some names in connection with the affair have been purposely sup- pressed. So far as the coroner is concerned, he has a complete answer. The inquiry was held in open court, and if the proceedings ,'ere not published it was no fault of his. There are other people, however, who might have brought influence to bear on those who were present, and it must be remembered that when it is stated reporters were there ro regularly- accredited newspaper representative was amongst the number. If the House were sitting there would probably be questions asked on the subject, though lie would be a sanguine member who could hope to get any information or explanation out of the Home Secretary. The coroner's officer is also a police-constable, and in that capacity it is his duty to report all cases in which inquests are held to his superior officer in the police force, and it might be asked if that were done in this case. The evening papers have gone very strongly for Mr Troutbeck, and the circumstances are certainly unfortunate for him so soon after the Bedford case but it is probable that other people are more to blame than he is. AN IMPENDING SENSATION." I am told that a somewhat sensational case is likely to come before a Metropolitan police-court in the course of a day or so. The principal in the case has represented himself to be a distinguished foreign officer, and has, it is said, managed to obtain en- trance to good society. With the knowledge he has gained in this way, it is alleged that he has managed to extort money from more than one well-known member of fashionable circles. The police have been on the look- out for him for some time, and they now believe that they can put their hands on him. If they manage to do this, some pecu- liar sidelights on the ways of modern society may be shown. THE EAST END STRIKE.: The strike at the East End wharves threatens to be a serious matter unless it ia speedily settled by arbitration or surrender. The dispute is simply a revival of the con- test between the Workers' Union and tha Employers' Federation, and the labourers complain that the ship and dock-owners are constantly attempting to break through the arrangement come to after the last great strike. Unfortunately there seems to be no disposition on the part of the employers to submit the question to arbitration, and the longer the strike continues the more in- dustries will become affected. The carters have come out to the assistance of the original strikers, and the lightermen are expected to-morrow. So far the fight ia confined to two wharves, .but it is feared that it will extend all along the. riverside. There is a somewhat bitter feel- ing among the Union men towards the labourers who are being imported by the Federation, but the Union leaders are doing their utmost to keep the men well in hand. Some assaults, however, have taken place, and the outlook is rather threatening. Nothing is heard now of the Mansion House Committee which did such good work in the great dock strike, nor of the Conciliation Committee which was formed by the London Chamber of Commerce. The present dis- pute, it might have been thought, was one of the crises in which either of these bodies could have interposed with beneficial results. A SILLY POLICE THEORY. One effect of another great strike that has been going on for months of the carpentert and joiners is stated by the police to bf. seen in the number of burglaries which are constantly being reported in certain districts of the Metropolis. This is a serious charge to bring against what is in general a very respectable class of men, but the police state that they have good grounds for the theory. The manner in which houses are broken into is not in the style of the professional burglar, but gives' indications that the unwelcome intruder is well acquainted with house con- struction, and how best to attack the weak point of the jerry-building. The police may or may not be right in their supposi- tion, but it would be more to the purpose if they secured the thieves in person rathei than defining them on paper. THE LATEST ADDITION TO ROYALTY. It is no doubt a source of great gratifica- tion to her Majesty's loyal subjects that tha Queen has been presented with her 40th grandchild, but it was hard on the said sub- jects, and especially those engaged at the Government offices in the neighbourhood of Whitehall to-day, to have the fact announced by the unexpected noise of artillery. At first it was thought that another dynamite explosion had taken place, such as that which occured one morning when Mr Gladstone was giving a breakfast party, in Downing-street, but on investigation it transpired that there was nothing more serious doing than a salute of twenty-one guns on the Horse Guards parade in honour of the young prince. As there are no Artillery stationed in the Metropolis, a battery had to be brought up from Woolwich for the pur- pose of indulging in this needless expendi- ture of powder, to say nothing of the nerves of the people who were in the vicinity. THE ELCHO CHALLENGE SHIELD. Great Britain's trophy, the Elcho Shield, which was woix at the recent Bisley meeting by the English team, will be deposited in the Guildhall on Saturday week. It is the custom of a corps representative of that part of the kingdom which is successful in secur- ing the trophy to convey it in triumph to its allotted place in the Guildhall. Last year proved an exception to the rule. It was then won by Ireland, and the London Irish volunteers escorted the shield, which was secured on a gun carriage, to the Royal Military Exhibition, where the general public had an opportunitv of viewing this handsome work of art. This year the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers is the regiment favoured with forming the guard of honour and escort on the transit of the valuable prize to the Guildhall, where the Lord Mayor is to receive it.

ANNOYING LADY DUDLEY. At Bow-street police-court, on Monday, Edward Rowden, described as a, gentleman, was charged, on remand, with annoying the Dowager Countess of Dudley, whereby a breach of the peace might have been occasioned. Mr Richard Wontner applied for a further re- mand, as Lady Dudley was still out of town. Prisoner's solicitor said that Lady Dudley had written a very kind letter to prisoner's mother, and he thought something might be done to pre- vent further annoyance. Prisoner was remanded until Saturday.

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE. MR PRITCHARD MORGAN'S CUP COM. PETITION. This competition came off at Aberdare, the result being as follows :-Private A. J. Berry. Merthyr, 83 Captain J. Davies, Dowlais, 79 Private Tom Powell, Merthyr, 76 Private H. Lucas, Aberdare, 76. This leaves Captain Davies, who made 92 at the previous competition, the winner.